Jerez de la Frontera
(Airport 45 mins away)
Jerez de la Frontera became famous throughout the world for its sweet wines named after the town,
which the British pronounced "sherry". It is called "de la Frontera" because it once stood on the
frontier between the Moorish and the Christian realms. Jerez is also famous, throughout the world,
for its fine horses, brilliant singers and flamenco dancers.
The distinctive wine in Jerez has been exported for centuries, it was even praised by Shakespeare.
It is distinctive because the strong sun gives the grapes a high sugar content. British merchants
have been involved in the wine trade here for centuries, producing and shipping a fortified wine
known as sherry. Famous names of these dynasties can be seen here over the doors of the bodegas;
Sandeman, John Harvey, Domecq, Gonzalez Byass etc.
The Spanish word bodega means "cellar", but its generic meaning is "wine manufacturer". You can take
a guided tour of the many Jerez bodegas. Some of the companies such as Gonzalez Byass, Pedro Domecq
and Sandeman, (British winemakers) have been active here for centuries, which is why many of the
names have an Anglo-Saxon ring to them. Guided tours of the cellars are provided on weekdays, followed
by sampling of the various types of wine produced.
You can read all about the wines of Jerez in an articles published by the Andalucia magazine called
Jerez Wines, by travel writer Denyse Lampričre. Simon Zolan has also written an introductory text
for us. But Jerez is also world famous for its magnificent dancing horses, which you can see at the
Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Equestre – the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art, at Avenida
de Abrantes (Tel: +34 956 311111). On Thursday mornings there is a spectacular display of dressage.
The town has a markedly aristocratic flavour with wide streets and squares. The 11th century Moorish
fortress, or Alcazaba, has been partially restored. Of special interest is its church, originally
built by the Arabs as a mosque. The Sacristy of the Cathedral del Salvador is home to a lovely
painting by Zurbarán, The Sleeping Girl.
Jerez celebrates its famous Horse Fair at the beginning of May each year.
Jerez is also famous for its long standing flamenco tradition, making it an excellent place to
witness this extraordinary art. The
Centro Andaluz de Flamenco (Tel: 956 349265) is housed in the Palacio de Penmartín, which stands on
the Plaza de San Juan, No. 1.
The Tourist Office is located at Larga, 39. (Tel: +34 956 331162). Jerez has its own airport,
Aeropuerto de la Parra, 7 kilometers north of the town. (Tel: +34 956 150
000). The 8th Century Jerez Gate has been recently restored.
There is a magnificent church of San Mateo in the centre and nearby in Calle de los Azogues the
buildings date back to the 16th and 17th century.
The Arab Castle of Guzman the Bueno is open to visitors. It was built in 960 AD on the orders of
Caliph Abderraman III. The irregular oblong architecture has Roman influence giving rise to the
theory that it was built on the remains of a Roman fort. To the east two high towers protect the
entrance from the Arab town.
The municipal museum is also well worth a visit. It is located near the town hall in the square
officially named Plaza de Santa Maria but locally known as the square of the little frog.
There is an impressive view of the shores of Morocco from the Miramar Gardens next to the Town Hall
(the Ayuntamiento) at the top of the town.
Calle de la Fuente (where else?) is where you can find a pretty and unusual little fountain.
La Alameda: Typical Andalucia paved gardens where the old folk sit on wrought iron benches in the
shade of the vast palm trees. Just across the road, at the entrance of the castle is a magnificent
statue of local hero Guzman el Bueno, saviour of the town.
Next to the Alameda is the old fishing port. It has never been developed but is interesting for a
stroll. To the west walk or drive (take care the wind blown sand is sometimes deep) down the
causeway called Muelle de Rivera towards the island, Isla de las Palomas. You are now at the south
west tip of Spain and only a few feet separate the sea and ocean. The modern castle here is now a
military base.
There are plenty of little tapas bars in the old town just to the east of the Alameda. Outside the
Jerez Gate on the main street called Batalla del Salado (leading north out of the town) you'll find
the surf shops and trendy clothes shops.
On the hills behind Tarifa are hundreds of wind turbines generating enough power for a small town.
It is one of the largest wind farms in Europe.
Tarifa fans will also be interested in 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coehlo featuring the tales of the
little shepherd boy who visits Tarifa on his way to Morocco.
Airport 45
minutes away Probably our closest and definitely our cheapest airport, affectionately known as an airport with
Solera, after the famous method of producing Sherry. This is a modern, efficient, yet quiet airport
with a future. Presently there are about 8 flights a day Mainly to Madrid, Barcelona and London
Gatwick and Stanstead.
Jerez Airport
Jerez airport is around a 45 minutes drive from the park and once the extension to the
N340 motorway is finished it will be even quicker and easier.
Jerez airport is located 5km north of the city of Jerez. It is east of the NIV road to Seville.
There is no direct access from the AP4 Sevilla - Tarifa toll motorway. Leave the AP4 Motorway at the
Jerez North Exit ( km79 ), and at the roundabout take the link road (signposted airport) to the
N-IV. On the N-IV head north one kilometre until you see the airport slip road on the right hand
side. (See map below)
There is no bus service but a taxi to Jerez city centre will cost about 11 Euro and to Tarifa about
41 Euro.
Car Parking for 550 cars is found directly opposite the terminal is free for the first half hour,
then 0.85 Euro for each half hour up to 6.95 Euro for each 24 hours.
There is a Cargo Agent and Aero Club at the old terminal just to the south (right hand side as you
enter) with spaces to park a car by the side of the quiet road and it is only a few minutes walk
from the main terminal.
Jerez Airport facilities
There are no telescopic boarding utilities, you walk across the tarmac like the good old days.
Friends and relatives can wave goodbye from the first floor café above the check in desks which has
a commanding view from behind glass, of the tarmac apron and runway. There is another café in the
departure lounge.
The airport has one runway 2300m long and 45m wide known as 03-21 with a capacity of ten flight
movements an hour. The commercial apron has room for six aircrafts. The passenger terminal was built
in 1992 and has a capacity of 1200 passengers an hour. The airport recorded 1.1 million passenger
movements in 2004 is increasing at a rate of about 30% a year. |
About Us: Established 1975